Audi has released it first full-sized four-wheel-drive, the Q7. JOSHUA DOWLING and the Drive team test it in the urban jungle with its likely rivals.

Soft touch

Ten years ago there was just one contender in the luxury four-wheel-drive market: Range Rover. Today there are more than two dozen prestige off-roaders from which to choose.

The British may have been the pioneers but German prestige brands, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, now dominate the class. Even Porsche has found the lure of the luxury 4WD dollar too strong to ignore.

Now fellow German maker, Audi, has finally joined the fray with its first full-sized four-wheel-drive.

As you read this, a convoy of Audis is making its way across Australia through the desert. Audi is keen to prove the off-road ability of its new Q7 to the media; we preferred to test it in its more likely habitat, the urban jungle.

The reality, of course, is that these vehicles rarely leave the bitumen. After all, who'd want to scratch the metallic paint, on average a $2000 option on these models?

For good measure, we introduced the Audi Q7 to its likely rivals - the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class - and included a wild card, the Mercedes R-Class, a low-riding, all-wheel-drive people-mover. The R-Class is designed to appeal to buyers of luxury 4WDs who are prepared to admit they don't go off-road.

Given the fuss over petrol prices at the moment we tested the six-cylinder diesel versions of each car. Here's how they compared.

Verdict

Given that Mercedes is the most experienced among the German brands in this class, we expected good things from the M-Class, the maker's second luxury 4WD. It is a significant improvement on its predecessor, but there is still room for more.

For those who crave the proud Mercedes badge and need a really roomy vehicle, the M-Class is worth consideration. It's just a pity that the big Mercedes can't control its body movement. On bumpy roads, the M-Class jiggles around so much it's almost nauseating.

In that regard, the R-Class was better to drive and seemed to be the smarter choice of the two Benzes. You get six seats, modest storage space and a vehicle that feels more car-like to drive. It might not go as far off-road but its all-wheel-drive system means it could easily handle slippery surfaces.

With the two Mercedes out of the picture, that leaves the X5 and Q7 - and a tough call.

The X5 is a favourite in the Drive office and has bankable resale value. It has a roomy, comfortable cabin, a full-sized spare wheel and is the most engaging to drive. But it is let down by its firm ride, comparatively sluggish engine and relative lack of equipment for the money.

The Q7, meanwhile, has the best combination of quality, performance, price, equipment and a good blend of sport and comfort, depending on what mood you're in and what roads you're on.